Chapter 288: Protection Gone Wrong.

Chapter 288: 288: Protection Gone Wrong.

She slowly opened her eyes, staring up in confusion at whatever the hell was happening.

She had expected to find the cubs disturbing her beauty sleep, as they sometimes did, but instead, she found Commander Lynn hovering over her.

The moment their eyes met, both of them paused. Ayra stared at him for a while, and he stared back, leaving them caught in an awkward silence.

"You’re awake..." Commander Lynn finally said.

"With all that... Anyone who didn’t wake up would probably be dead..." Ayra replied.

She looked around before asking, "And what are you even doing...?"

Her gaze shifted to the animal skin beneath her head. She had been sleeping on a soft layer of it, while several more layers lay beside Commander Lynn, apparently brought there for some reason.

Commander Lynn bit his lower lip before explaining, "I figured the bed might be too hard for you, so I wanted to replace it with something else..."

He added, "I was looking for the most comfortable one for you."

Ayra sighed as she glanced around. "Right now...?"

Commander Lynn nodded. "I don’t want you to be uncomfortable for too long..."

Ayra didn’t remember ever complaining about being uncomfortable, but she kept quiet, recognizing the effort he was putting into caring for her.

She closed her eyes again. "Thanks for your consideration... But can we do this after I sleep?" she asked with a smile.

"..." Commander Lynn slowly nodded.

And so, Ayra closed her eyes again, hoping to return to her precious beauty sleep. However, just as she was about to drift off, she felt someone lift her head once more.

Ayra immediately opened her eyes and caught Commander Lynn holding her head.

"..." Their eyes met awkwardly.

"What now...?" Ayra asked.

"I’ll just quickly test the remaining ones and then leave. There are ten more."

"..."

---

Ayra was playing with the little ones on a bright, beautiful day.

Kellie and Minnie were running around, indirectly playing a game of tag, and Ayra had been forced to join them. Before long, she found herself running around with the twins, happily playing along as the little cubs enthusiastically chased one another.

The triplet snakes soon joined in, happily participating in the game while everyone else watched with delight.

Ally and Zay sat together, smiling as they watched the scene unfold. Even the other beastmen sitting nearby were enjoying the playful sight, with some laughing as they watched the little ones run around.

However, just as everyone was having fun, Commander Lynn, Nyx, and Lord Ash returned from their hunting trip.

Upon arriving, the three stopped at a distance and watched the scene for a while.

Lord Ash smiled as he held the meat they’d caught. "They look so happy. Especially the little ones. So sweet."

Commander Lynn, however, had his eyes fixed on Ayra as she ran around with the cubs. He glanced at the others before asking, "Isn’t that too dangerous...?"

Nyx and Lord Ash turned towards him.

"What is?" Ash asked.

Commander Lynn hesitated before explaining, "Her running around like that... Won’t she hurt her feet?"

"..."

The two paused and exchanged glances before turning back to Commander Lynn without saying a word.

But Commander Lynn had already made up his mind. He immediately stepped forward and approached the group, who were still having fun.

Without warning, he swept Ayra off her feet and carried her in his arms.

Everyone was taken by surprise. The little ones stopped playing and stood there, staring at Commander Lynn as he held Ayra securely.

Ayra blinked in confusion. "What’s... happening?"

Commander Lynn looked at her with a firm expression. "This is too dangerous for you. Running around like that might hurt your feet..."

Ayra was speechless as she tried to protest. "But I..."

However, Commander Lynn cut her off. "I said I’ll protect you, so let me."

With that, he carried her away from the playing area and took her somewhere safe.

"..."

Everyone remained frozen in place, staring after them in disbelief. They could hardly believe what they’d just witnessed.

The little ones looked at one another and simply shrugged, while Nyx and Lord Ash shook their heads with amused smiles.

"I guess he’s really gone into full protective mode," Lord Ash remarked with a grin.

---

Commander Lynn didn’t stop there.

That night, everyone gathered around the campfire to enjoy some grilled meat and chat beneath the full moon. However, Ayra couldn’t even enjoy her meal in peace.

Just as she reached for a piece of meat, Commander Lynn, who was standing beside her, took it from her hand and examined it.

"What?" Ayra asked, staring at him.

Commander Lynn studied the meat before declaring, "I don’t think this is healthy for you. You should eat something healthier for your condition..."

"..." Ayra was speechless. "So I shouldn’t eat meat anymore, or...?"

Commander Lynn nodded. "Yes. For now, don’t eat this kind of food. I’ll get you something healthier. I’ve already asked the rabbit chef, and vegetable soup should work well."

"..."

Ayra was completely at a loss for words.

Her other mates couldn’t help laughing at the scene. Lord Vale, Lord Ash, and Nyx exchanged amused smiles as they watched Commander Lynn fuss over her.

"Oh, he’s really in protective mode now," Ash remarked.

"How long do you think she’ll last before she snaps?" Lord Vale asked with a smile.

The other two tilted their heads.

"Hard to tell," Nyx replied with a grin. "But probably not much longer."

---

Ayra woke up to the sound of awkward clapping right above her head. The noise had thoroughly disrupted her beauty sleep.

When she finally opened her eyes, she was utterly speechless to find Commander Lynn standing over her.

He was strangely clapping his hands at intervals, right above her head. She stared at him in disbelief, and their eyes met.

"What are you doing...?" Ayra asked in a low voice.

"I’m protecting you from the mosquitoes. I think there have been more of them recently..." Commander Lynn explained.

Ayra blinked and looked around. She supposed it was a thoughtful reason, but no matter how much she looked, she couldn’t seem to spot a single mosquito.

She sighed and stared at him. "Are you sure there are any... mosquitoes?"

"..." Commander Lynn glanced around. "I think there are..."

"..." Ayra was speechless.

"You think...?" she repeated, unable to believe her ears.

Apparently, her precious beauty sleep was being ruined simply because he thought there might be mosquitoes!

Ayra wanted to cry.